2 take out menu designs, email ad=$150

There is no easy answer other than: It depends.

First thing to do is work out as accurately as possible how long it will take you. If you are starting out you will likely underestimate so add in anything up to the same amount of time again. I've been doing this for some time and still underestimate.

Next thing to do is establish exactly what you are offering. Specifically: how many opportunities to amend the artwork or change the design are you offering? A project that seems profitable can slowly look like an awful deal by the time you are on amendment 15 and no end is in sight.

Once you've got both of those details sorted out you can work out what rough hourly fee you are likely to make on the project.

If you can, compare this with the fees charged by other designers in your area. They may be more, or less experienced than you, but it will at least give you a ballpark figure to check against.

There are things that will, on rare occasions, make a loss-leader project work. Getting a good portfolio piece, or getting in with a certain type of client or simply to gain experience for example - however, in my experience it is tough to get that sort of value out of projects. Think very carefully and be very honest with yourself before taking on a loss-leader project.

Also think about where you would like to get to as a designer and think about whether this project will help to get you there. (Of course, if you just need to pay the bills and this project is the only rain in a very dry spell of work you may want to jump at it.)

Finally: Would I take on that project at that price? No. Would I have taken on that project when I first started out?... possibly, though likely for all the wrong reasons.

There is always someone willing to do it cheaper, so let them. However, I don't think the client will find someone to do what he's asking you to do for less than $150.

I would not suggest to anyone, especially those "just starting out" that they begin by giving away their work.

Alex posted good advice. There's tons more on the subject here as well as elsewhere on the net.

No way would I do this if I were you.

A basic menu for $150 might be a nice job for a beginning designer. THREE jobs for $150 is ridiculous. Between typing, formatting, backgrounds, getting photos & clipping them, proofreading, and rounds of changes, you're entering minimum wage territory.

Just because he's offering $150 doesn't mean you have to accept at that price or give up. Try to negotiate up a little.

As a beginner, you're probably looking at a week's work with all the changes involved in that kind of job. Menus involve lots of changes in my experience - these guys are debating the price of every item on the menu right up to the minute the presses start rolling. You need to negotiate a higher price AND lock him down on the number of changes involved because he will be making a lot of changes. I doubt you want to be tied up the entire week for $150.

One way to approach this guy for more money is to simply ask him "Do you really expect three PROFESSIONAL-looking jobs for $150?" The only person who's going to take that job for $150 is somebody who doesn't know what they're doing nor the value of the work involved. IOW - an amateur... NOT a "professional". It's that simple - you just have to explain it to him.

Short and sweet, does that price sound right for you? You're the one doing the work, my guess given you're consulting us is your gut feeling says no, I'd tend to agree with it. $150 and a few pieces for my portfolio (if the "ideal situation" plays out) may not be the absolute worst situation in the world, but as MrCoupon mentioned: you're doing 3 jobs for the price of 1 here.

If s/he's serious about his business and wants something that looks professional and nice to represent their restaurant with, things such as take out menu's, menu's and email responders are the few things he can directly control the flow of to influence his customers. ie. they should look as good as possible and spending a bit of coin to make sure this happens is equally important.

Ask yourself what a slick group of menu designs is worth to this client. Where are they getting it printed? Can you broker that job for them and mark up the printer's (wholesale) fee? Will they sign a contract guaranteeing you the opportunity (should you wish to take it after dealing with them for the first go-'round) to manage the evolution of their menus going forward?

Do they think you were born yesterday? Why are they low-balling you like this?

Main question. What do you think your skills are worth at this point in your career? Are you any good at all, or a rank amateur? Will they expect you catch the spelling errors that menus are famous for ("sherbert," for example, not to mention mangled attempts to use French, such as "with au jus gravy")? Will they be giving you high-quality photos? Will they be digital or will you have to scan them?

Plus everything else everyone else has said.

Would I take on a job as valuable to the client as this for $150? No way. I'd be insulted, or would give them the benefit of the doubt and accept this may be the first time they've ever used a designer and have no idea what they should offer. You can educate them. I'd tell them that's a decent deposit to get me started, but then I'd present them with a contract specifying all the services you are ready to provide for how much and on what schedule. Always make sure your contract includes the caveat that your ability to meet deadlines is contingent upon their getting necessary content and approvals to you on time. Then tell them what "on time" means in terms of actual dates.

It might help you to think how your client would react if you asked, since their restaurant is so new, if would they would give you three full-course dinners (for two!) at the restaurant for three bucks, perhaps plus tip if you like the food.

"What would you like with your meat loaf?"

"Awwww... jus' gravy."

:-)